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Relative weight of disc brakes

5 min read

Asked by: Jeff Peterson

How much do disc brakes weigh?

A typical front disc rotor on a large sedan is approximately 300mm (12in) in diameter and weighs around 9.5kg (21 lbs).

How much weight does disc brakes add?

Disc brakes definitely offer more braking power than caliper rim brakes, so that’s clearly an advantage for heavier riders. They also add about 2 lbs to a bike as compared to similar rim brakes.

How much heavier are disc brakes than rim brakes?

Disc brakes are heavier than rim brakes– Disc calipers weigh more than rim brake calipers. Disc brakes also require rotors. These add more weight unwanted weight to the wheel. Each rotor weighs around 100-130 grams.

How much do bike disk brakes weigh?

a mechanical disc brake (Avid BB7) is around 360 g.

Are disc brakes lighter than rim brakes?

The biggest advantage that rim brakes have over disc brakes is that they are lighter. With the parts, pads, components, and rotor altogether, a disc brake is typically a few hundred grams heavier than a comparable rim brake.

How much does a brake caliper weight?

Approximate weight for this caliper is 240G (0.24Kg).

Do pro cyclists use disc brakes?

Disc brakes are still far from dominating the peloton, but there are an awful lot of disc-equipped bikes. We roamed the team trucks ahead of the Grand Depart in Brussels last week to get a closer look. Six teams have completely switched over to disc brakes for the Tour.

Why are disc brakes stronger than rim brakes?

Disc brakes offer better modulation than rim brakes, meaning it’s easier for the rider to precisely meter out how much clamping power is generated. Peak stopping power occurs just before the point of lock-up, and disc-equipped bikes are better equipped to flirt with that edge without crossing over.

Are disk brakes better than drum?

Disc brakes are expensive because they are technologically superior and more advanced than drum brakes. The disc braking system comes with a hydraulic pressure and brake booster systems as standard, this means you inflict more braking force with less pressure.

What are the disadvantage of the disc brake system?

A disc brake is much more prone to noise so timely service required. The rotors wrap easier than the drum brake system. Disc brakes are not self-energizing thus need higher clamping forces, which requires a power booster.

Which is better V brake or disc brake?

Advantages of V-Brakes:



V-Brakes are a lot less expensive than disc brakes. They are easy to maintain and replace, even on the go. V-Brakes add no strain on the hubs or spokes. They do not hinder the mounting of a rear kick stand.

Are mechanical disc brakes worth it?

The differences between hydraulic and mechanical disc brakes. The biggest difference between the two types of disc brakes is efficiencies. While both options perform better than traditional rim brakes, particularly if it’s wet conditions, mechanical disc brakes struggle to match the efficiency of hydraulic systems.

Are rim brakes dead?

Are rim brakes dead? Rim brakes will never die, but the future of road racing is disc-equipped.

Why do road bikes now have disc brakes?

Improved braking modulation



A brake that modulates well, such as a disc, allows the rider to apply precisely the amount of braking power they need.

How long do disc brakes last?

around 50,000 miles

Summary. Brake pads should last anywhere between 25,000 and 60,000 miles, with brake discs lasting around 50,000 miles on average. There are lots of easy ways to make these last longer, such as gentle and engine braking.

Do pro cyclists use disc brakes?

Disc brakes are still far from dominating the peloton, but there are an awful lot of disc-equipped bikes. We roamed the team trucks ahead of the Grand Depart in Brussels last week to get a closer look. Six teams have completely switched over to disc brakes for the Tour.

How long do disc brakes last?

around 50,000 miles

Summary. Brake pads should last anywhere between 25,000 and 60,000 miles, with brake discs lasting around 50,000 miles on average. There are lots of easy ways to make these last longer, such as gentle and engine braking.

Are disk brakes better than drum?

Disc brakes are expensive because they are technologically superior and more advanced than drum brakes. The disc braking system comes with a hydraulic pressure and brake booster systems as standard, this means you inflict more braking force with less pressure.

What are disc brakes made of?

Brake Disc Material



Cast iron and carbon are the two main materials used to make a brake disc. The benefit of Carbon is that it has a high thermal resistance and is lightweight. The downside is that Carbon is expensive, so it is used mainly by high budget racing teams. Cast iron is the more commonly used base material.

Why is cast iron used in brake discs?

Cast irons are indicated to produce brake discs because besides the low costs of the production, they have excellent thermal conductivity, which eases the dissipation of the heat generated by the friction of the pads during a stop, and the capacity of damping vibrations, which are prime characteristics of this kind of

What are the types of disc brakes?

There are two types of disc brakes. One is called the “opposed piston type disc brake” which has pistons on both sides of the disc rotor, and the other is the “floating type disc brake” which has a piston on only one side. The floating type disc brakes are also called the sliding pin type disc brakes.